Sonny Bradley goes from hero to villain as Lincoln draw with Mansfield

Sonny Bradley scored his first Lincoln goal and was sent off as the Imps held Mansfield to a 1-1 draw.

The centre-back turned in a cross from James Collins to give Michael Skubala’s side a 17th-minute lead, but forced his manager into an early change when he was shown a straight red card for a clumsy last-man challenge on George Maris.

Aaron Lewis curled the resulting free-kick narrowly wide before Ryan Sweeney struck a fierce drive at goalkeeper George Wickens as Mansfield went in search of an equaliser before half-time.

Just after the hour, substitute Adam Jackson missed a golden opportunity to double Lincoln’s lead against the run of play when he fired over the bar from close range.

Wickens was drawn into a smart reaction save to deny Maris as the away side ramped up the pressure as the second half wore on.

Lincoln’s stubborn resistance was broken eight minutes from time when Nathan Moriah-Welsh swept home Kyle Knoyle’s centre.

Maris fired wide as Lincoln survived a late away onslaught to earn a hard-fought point.